Navy to join Rock party

The Royal Navy is to mark the 300th anniversary of the capture of Gibraltar next week by despatching the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West, and a small flotilla, it was announced yesterday.

The celebrations will infuriate Spain, which claims the Rock and which takes offence at every British formal acknowledgement of its possession.

The flotilla, which will include the frigate Grafton and the US guided missile destroyer USS McFaul, is due to arrive on July 31. On Aug 4 Gibraltar's parliament will meet in a special session followed by a "Freedom Parade".